COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTIONA deliciously rich barleywine that has spectacular depth and delicacy of flavor that is deep and robust. Its strong, sweet body is balanced with Centennial and Crystal hops for a pleasant hoppiness and finish. Makes a great cellar beer. Available in 22oz. bottles and draught year round. ABV 9% IBU 91

"piney, good balance of malt and hops, and smooth and drinkable even though it has a kick. good, but not one of the best. Iíll usually pick up a bottle any time I find one. 2/10-have had a couple pedestrian bottles. the 07 version not aging well. docked a couple tenths."

Sample from 2007 batch at Denver Rare Beer Tasting VI on 10/03/2014. Dark amber color with a medium beige head that diminishes steadily. Patchy lacing. Aroma of malt, pine and hops. Full-bodied with flavors of caramel malt, citrus and resiny hops. The finish is sweet with a charred malt and caramel aftertaste. Pretty good all around.

Damn this beer was nice. Pours a beautiful dark amber color with a frothy khaki head. Smells of toffee, caramel and just a hint of booze. Full bodied. Flavors of caramel, toffee, dark fruit, nuts and some alcohol. Excellent beer.

Hazy amber pour with no head. Hops really evident in the aroma. Tastes very much like toffee and the hops come through and prolong the toffee nicely. Quite different.
---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

Thanks to OldMrCrow for sharing two bottles of this one -- a 1999 (I was still in high school then!) and a 2005. The 1999 was off (aroma of prune stewed in soy sauce, taste not much different) so Iím ignoring it except to note that 15 years may be a bit long for this one. Both pour dark amber -- the 2005 still, surprisingly, has a nice white head. Donít know why it amazes me that these stay carbonated, but it does. Magic! Aroma: toffee, old hops, some nice plum / toffee. Taste: nice toffee, reasonably dry, light caramel sweetness with just a hint of bitterness. Medium body. Overall: Very enjoyable!

2/22/2012. On tap at the brewery. Poured deep orange with an off-white head. Sweet malty aromas with caramel and light fruit. Hoppy flavors with fruit showing well and then the alcohol burn on the finish. Not bad at all.

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